An copy of a letter which was distributed to the young men of Australia early in WW1. This is believed to be an original copy. The letter was addressed to the young men encouraging them to enlist for armed service. The letter is dated 15th December, 1915 and is signed by the then Prime Minister, W. M. Hughes. The letter is in quarto format and bears the Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms and the title "Commonwealth of Australia".

Cream souvenir programme with a picture of 2 flags on the front and blue and red lines with gold lettering. The wording is ' Souvenir Programme - Unveiling of Honor (sic) Roll of the Employees of Myer's, Bendigo, who have joined the Australian Imperial Forces: By The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, P.C. at Myers Pall Mall, Bendigo. Tuesday July 31st, 1917.' Inside in gold lettering is an outline of a musical programme and the Roll of Honor itself with the names of 42 employees.event, official, civic, lydia chancellor, collection, event, war, soldiers, music, honor roll, program, programme, souvenir, myer's patriotic workers' society

Irving Benson (1897 - 1980), Methodist clergyman, journalist and social reformer. Ordained in 1919, minister at Toorak Methodist 1918 - 1923, Daley St. Brunswick 1923 - 1926, Wesley Church Melbourne 1926 - 1967. Superannuated 1967. William Morris (Billy) Hughes (1862 - 1952) was the Prime Minister of Australia 1915 - 1923.B & W photograph of the Rt Hon W. M. Hughes standing in the pulpit of Wesley Church Melbourne. Rev Dr Clarence Irving Benson is seated behind him.irving benson, methodist, toorak, brunswick, wesley church, billy hughes, prime minister

Irving Benson (1897 - 1980), Methodist clergyman, journalist and social reformer. Ordained in 1919, minister at Toorak Methodist 1918 - 1923, Daley St. Brunswick 1923 - 1926, Wesley Church Melbourne 1926 - 1967. Superannuated 1967. William Morris (Billy) Hughes (1862 - 1952) was the Prime Minister of Australia 1915 - 1923.B & W gloss photograph of a seated Rt Hon W. M. Hughes speaking with Rev Dr Clarence Irving Benson.irving benson, methodist, toorak, brunswick, wesley church, billy hughes, prime minister

Copy of a photograph of Mr W M (Billy) Hughes, the Australian Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923 in the Main Street of Sassafras. Billy Hughes had a holiday house called Ty-Coed in Clarkmont Road. The Prince of Wales made an unofficial visit in 1920 and stayed with Billy Hughes in his holiday home. The Prince of Wales planted a tree in Anzac Avenue that had been officially opened on April 14th, 1920 by Captain Stanley Melbourne Bruce, who became Prime Minister after Billy Hughes.Black and white photograph showing well dressed man standing in front of a car .billy hughes, w m hughes, sassafras, prime minister

During World War One, to finance the war the Commonwealth Government had a series of war loans, and then peace loans. To recover the cost of the war and fund soldier pensions the government launched 'Peace Loan' campaigns after the war. The various Shires in each State were given quotas that they were expected to raise. The Central Peace Loan Committee endorsed the issue of a metal tablet to each district which secured its quota. The tablet was made of bronze, and it was to be fixed on the wall of the local municipal building. It bore the name of the town, borough or shire to which it was awarded, and the name of the mayor or president. The inscription explaining the object of the award appeared over the signatures of the Prime Minister and the Treasurer of the Commonwealth. In the case of districts which secured double their quota the tablet also included the Commonwealth coat-of-arms. This plaque was presented to the Shire of Wodonga for exceeding its allocated quota which had been set at £10,000. The Wodonga community subscribed more than £12,845 to the Peace Loans which was acknowledged with the presentation of the plaque.A bronze rectangular plaque with raised text and an border. A hole in each corner allowed the plaque to be secured to a wall. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / PEACE LOAN/ A.D. 1919/ TO COMMEMORATE THE OVERSUBSCRIPTION / OF THE ALLOTTED QUOTA OF THIS LOAN / BY/ THE SHIRE OF WODONGA/ W. TWOMEY PRESIDENT / W. A. WATT TREASURER/ W. M. HUGHES PRIME MINISTER"ww1, peace loans australia, shire of wodonga peace loans

Henry Beardmore represented the Green Hills Riding on Wodonga Shire Council from 1898 to 1922, including terms as President from 1900-01, 1903-4, 1908-10, 1911-12, 1914-17. He won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. After a few years serving simultaneously at both local and State government levels, in 1922 Mr Beardmore retired from the Wodonga Council due to his increased workload in State politics. He continuously represented the Benambra electorate as a Nationalist and United Australia Party Member for more than 15 years being returned unopposed on four occasions. Mr Beardmore was a strong advocate for country development and decentralisation. He was an Honorary Minister in 1924 and for a short time in 1929, Minister of Railways, Minister in-charge of Electrical Undertakings and Minister of Labour. He was a leading supporter of Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project and opponent of Yallourn coalfield. He remained as the Member for Benambra until his death in Wodonga on 1st August 1932. At the time this letter was written, William Hughes had been expelled from the ALP over his stance on conscription. He formed the National Labor Party which later merged with the Liberal Party to become the Nationalist Party. Henry Beardmore was a newly-elected Member of the Victorian Parliament and became a member of the Nationalist Party. Two of Henry Beardmore’s sons were on Active Service at the time and were later joined by another of their brothers. The letter aimed to gain support for Hughes at the Federal Election to be held on 5th May 1917 which his new party won with a large majority. However the Second Referendum held on conscription on 20th December 1917 at William Hughes’ instigation was defeated.This letter is significant because it was sent to an important Wodonga politician by the Prime Minister at a critical time in Australia's history.A typed letter sent to Mr Henry Beardmore by W. M. Hughes, Prime Minister 25th April 1917. It is printed on the Commonwealth of Australia letterhead. The letter has been damaged over time and has been repaired. Commonwealth of Australia letterhead Signed W. M. Hughesw. m. hughes, henry beardmore, conscription debate 1917